“Give readily and have no regrets when you do so, for in return God will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings” (Deuteronomy 15:10).
This verse from Parashat Re’eh teaches us a strong and clear message about the nature of giving and the spiritual mindset we should be in when performing acts of charity.
First, it emphasises the importance of not only giving but doing so wholeheartedly, without regret or a sense of loss on our own behalf. The Torah recognises the natural human tendency to feel uncertain or reluctant when giving away one’s hard-earned money or other wealth. The phrase “v’lo yeira levavecha” (your heart shall not be grieved – or as translated above – have no regrets) reminds us that it’s not enough for us just to give. How we give matters just as much as the act of giving itself. Giving with a joyful and willing heart fosters a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.
Similar to many of the other commandments and statutes found in Deuteronomy, the verse comes with the promise of a blessing; “for in return God will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings”. This blessing comes not just from the act of charity but from the transformation of our inner world, where we focus only on what we need, to the role of giver. When we give freely, we align ourselves with kindness and compassion. The act of giving with an open heart elevates us spiritually, provides a stronger connection to community, and it brings blessings into our lives.
On a deeper level, this helps to drive the core aspects of Tikkun Olam, including creating a world of kindness where the blessings we receive are interconnected with the blessings we bestow on others. By sustaining those in need, we become vessels through which these blessings flow, contributing to an ongoing cycle of mutual support and unwavering service.
Growing up in Netzer South Africa, we’d end each gathering or seminar with a friendship circle and sing a few chosen songs as part of the ritual. One of those songs was an adaptation of The Magic Penny (by Malvina Reynolds). The lyrics we sang went; “Love is something if you give it away, you end up having more. It’s just like a magic penny, hold it tight and you won’t have any. Lend it, spend it, give it away, you’ll end up having more”. Giving with love and an open heart allows us to enhance the blessings and realise that while we are giving up some of what we have, we enrich the lives of others and our own lives.
In practical terms, we are being asked to evaluate our attitude toward charity and generosity. Are we giving out of obligation, or are we giving with the right intention, knowing that our generosity opens up channels for greater acts of compassion, perhaps even leading to the blessings spoken about in the verse quoted above? It reminds us that when we give to others with the right attitude and behaviour, we enact the blessings bestowed upon us and we encourage others to act with the same dedication and intent. Through these acts we become partners in creating a more just and compassionate world.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Sam Zwarenstein